Techno-Economic Evaluation of Biogas Production from Food Waste for Electricity Generation

This study analyzed the technical and economical viability of producing biogas from food waste at Naresuan University for electricity generation. Samples were collected to analyze physical and chemical composition in order to assess its suitability for biogas production. The effects of particle size on biogas quantity and quality were evaluated. Further, the amount of power that can be produced and economic evaluation were calculated. The results showed food waste had high carbon oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and moisture content (MC) of 278,388 mg/kg, 103,889 mg/kg and 77.1% respectively which are suitable for biogas production. It further showed that smaller particle size of food waste produced more biogas than bigger sizes. Higher potential for biogas production of 11m(3)/day from the 333 kg of food wastes that are produced daily were observed with the power of 15.66 kW. The high net present value (NPV), cost benefit ratio (BCR) and short payback period (PBP) values of 229,755.29 Baht, 1.05 and 4 years respectively showed viable economic analysis.